EARL GRANVILLE'S DESPATCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 920, 17 July 1869, Page 21

EARL GRANVILLE'S DESPATCHES.

Downing street, V 2nd April, 1869., Sir — I have received your despatches numbered in the margin, and their enclosures, in which you report the operations of the colonial forces under Colonel Whitmore against Te Kooti and his followers, and the success which has attended those operations by the taking of Ngatapa. From the plans^ which accompany your despatches, this rebel stronghold appears to have been very formidable by nature, and strengthened by the defensive works which the Maoris throw up with a skill and precision closely allied to science.

The operations which have been attended with so successful a result, were conducted in a skilful and energetio manner by Colonel Whitmore, who, profiting by his experience in savage warfare at the Cape and in New Zealand, appears not to have neglected the military precautions whioh professional training shows to be necessary on such service, nor to have failed to display the perseverance and determination essential to the accomplishment of a difficult enterprise. I have read with satisfaction the reports of Colonel Whitmore in which he brings to notice the conduot of the colonial forces : their patient perseverance in approaching the place, and the energy and courage they displayed when the aesault was given, reflect credit on ill engaged, and Her Majesty's Government learn with great satisfaction that the colonial forces have proved that they are capable of successfully dealing with armed -reels.

The Native chief Ropata seems to have largely contributed to the success of the enterprise ; and his conduct and that of his people show how important and valuable the assistance of Native auxiliaries may be made for all defensive purposes. The presence of Mr Richmond, a member of the Government, was no doubt a moat useful assistance to Colonel Whitmore, and T jzladly recognise the services rendered by that gentleman. It iB satisfactory to know that the force displayed the humanity and forbearance towards the women and children taken in the rebel stronghold which ought to distinguish troops under all circumstances. I consider the whole operation to have been skilfully and creditably conducted, and I trust that in your next despatches you will be able to report the capture of To Kooti. I cannot doubt that this success will have the effect of restoring security to the East Coast of the colony, and of producing a very marked impression throughout the Maori country. — I have, &©., Gbanvillb. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.

Downing street, 20th April, 1869. Sir— My notice has been called to a statement made in a letter printed in the Hawke's Bay Herald of 12th January, in the following words :— " The Honourable Mr Richmond has offered a reward of LSO for the head of Nikora, LSOO for that of Te Kooti, and, I hear, LI per head for any of the others." The writer adds that " the good effect has been seen in the arrival of a great many prisoners, who are shot as soon as they arrive." I have seen this statement with very great concern. I trust you will be able to inform me that it is untrue ; and I am led to hope this both by the doubtful words of the writer, and by the oircumstanoe that you have not reported to me a measure the gravity of which you can scarcely have underrated. I can mafce every allowance, not only for a Government which is bound to take effectual measures for the protection of the European population, but for the feelings of indignation which must be felt throughout the colony at the atrocious murders which have been perpetrated by Te Kooti and his band ; nor am lat all disposed to deny tho necessity of extraordinary measure* for tho chastisement of a knot of men who have been guilty of such barbarities. But the general offer to savages of LI for every head brought in, would be evidently calculated to produce inducriminatlng murders, to intensify among our own allies the worst characteristics of the Maori nature, and to leave behind, among those who escaped this unmoasured punishmenl, or who were connected with them by blood, aliianoo, or a sentiment of nationality, a permanent intention of revenge. The statement that prisoners are shot as soon as they arrive is unaccompanied by any information as to what step* are taken to secure that tho persons so put to death havo been implicated In any of the more criminal acts of tho rebels.

This ii a further inducement to me to disbelieve the aoounwy of the whole statement, as I feel convinced that the Government of Ne* Zealand does not oon•ider that, under the droumstanoei of tht

colony, the shoeing %i a jirfsoner would be justifiable merely, because he had bqen in arms against her Majesty. — I have, liß

&0., . t • > GRANVIIu. „ Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.O.M.G.

I Downing' Street., 23rd April, 1869. Sir-rl have received your Despatches Nos 14 and 20, of the 3lst January and 12th February : the former enclosing a report from Colonel M'Donnellof a successful expedition mado by him at the head of a party of Native Cavalry, to the pah of the rebel chief Tito Kowaru ; the fatter forwarding a despatch from Colonel Wbitmore, reporting the evacuation of the pah by Tito Kowaru, and other positions which he had occupied. I am greatly shocked to hear from Colonel McDonnell's report of the barbarous r manner in which the remains of some of the colonial troops were treated, and I can hardly express the feelings of horror with which I learn that there is reason to fear that one of them was burnt alive. . I am glad to find that Colonel Whitmore's proceedings on the West Coast appear likely to justify the estimate of his capacity which I was led to form by the accounts of hia success in the neighbourhood of Tauranga. — I have, &c, Geanville. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.

Downing street, 23rd April, 1869. Sir— l have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 18, of the Bth February, written in reply to my predecessor's despatch, No. 127, of the Ist December, in which you were informed that the departure of the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Regiment from New Zealand could not be delayed. I am glad to learn that you were taking steps to send the regiment from the colony. I am aware that the New Zealand Government have applied themselves energetically to the defence of the colony, and have long ago expressed my confidence that adequate efforts would be made for the'restoration of tranquillity. lam glad to Bee that my expectations are justified by the intelligence recently received. I have read with attention the Memorandum of Mr Stafford forwarded in your present Despatch, referring to matters cognate in some degree to those which formed the subject of my Despatch No. 37, of 21st March. As I cannot doubt that Her Majesty's troops will ha«'e finally left the colony before this Despatch reaches you, I do not think it advisable to pursue a discussion which is no longer praotical, and which is naturally viewed in a different aspect by the Government of this country than by that of New Zealand.—l have, &c. , Granvixle. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.

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